What dates were you riding the South Island to get that 'PERFECT' weather ?

It was end of January first couple of days of Feb. I think February is the best time to visit because it's after the schools go back and the weather is generally very settled and temperatures are in the mid to high twenties, although in the South Island there are lots of mountainous areas as you have probably seen and this has the usual effect on the weather; the last time we were in Queenstown we went to Milford Sound and you go through a long tunnel (the Homer tunnel) - it was blazing sunshine at one end, snowing at the other

Mind you, just about anywhere is better at that time of year than the Scottish Highlands

OK, last day. Had to get the bike back to Christchurch by about four in the afternoon so not much time to hang about taking photos. Even so, found time to head over to Lake Pukaki for one last shot of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps.

At Burkes Pass there was one more photo stop.

After that it was just a matter of covering ground to Chch, but we took the twistier 'inland tourist route' It's always a relief when there are no awkward questions about new dents or scratches when you return a bike. Finished the day off with a slap up curry and beer.

I quite liked that big Yamaha- the engine has plenty of character (like my 1100GS) and it was certainly comfortable. Pretty economical too- I was filling up around 350 to 380km IIRC. One thing it did do was make up my mind about whether I was going for soft or hard bags for my own bike (we're hoping to take it down to Africa next year)- the flexibility and light weight of the Wolfman bag on the back was so much better than the Givi hard bags, which like all hard bags weighed a ton. Soft bags every time, I reckon.

NZ is pretty expensive at the moment (when I first went there it was $3.40 to the UK pound, now it's 1.95 or so ), but if you can take your camping gear then semi wild sites like the Mavora Lakes are cheap and beautiful places to camp. Distances ain't huge, but that encourages stopping and taking pix, so no bad thing.

We did get a bit more biking in courtesy of some friends in Auckland with a quick trip up to Keri Keri on their Ducatis. I really liked the 860, even if its footpegs were in a mad place.

Three Dawg. I live in Kerikeri and have the small bike workshop that you called into nextdoor to the bakery/fruit shop. Am glad to see you had a great time here in NZ. If you are ever back here please call in. By the way, who are your friends here in Keri? I may know them.

Hey Rbacknz. Must admit, don't recall dropping in to any bike workshops, even old bevels can make a round trip sometimes Must have been some other handsome bastard. Friends are Miranda and Keith Paisley, have a lovely spot with views over to the inlet.

Really enjoyed the ride back to Auckland- that 860 really suited the road, and the weather was superb. Happy days!